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Emily Hung

At least one Hongkonger was fined HK$5,000 (US$641) for feeding feral pigeons on Sunday, but some residents ignored a government ban on the first day of immediate penalties being dished out by authorities.
Anyone caught feeding wild pigeons will receive the on-the-spot penalty, rather than a verbal warning, following the end of a one-month grace period after the ban was imposed on August 1.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, one of the five agencies enforcing the ban, said it had issued one fixed penalty ticket as of 6pm on Sunday.
It also urged the public to call the 1823 hotline to report cases of illegal wildlife feeding.
At Un Chau Estate in Cheung Sha Wan, one of the “black spots” where large gatherings of wild birds have raised environmental hygiene concerns, at least four posters or warning signs about pigeon feeding were displayed.
But the deterrent effect appeared to be limited, as an old woman was seen discreetly dropping some feed onto the ground, when she was walking past there pushing a trolley.
Attracted by the feed, at least three dozen birds gathered immediately and hung around for about 10 minutes.
The woman denied that she had fed the pigeons and fled the scene when a Post reporter approached her.
Neighbourhood resident Albert Chan, a technician in his 50s, said the gathering of pigeons was disturbing.
“The faeces they leave have worsened hygiene conditions here,” he said.
He said he could not yet feel the impact of the ban, one month after it came into effect.
“The government needs to do more enforcement and public education, because many elderly people do not know about the new policy at all.”
Chan said he had observed that the feeders were mostly old people who would show up early in the morning.
“It appears that they think feeding wild animals will bring them blessings and good luck,” he said.
He added he would give them a heads-up about the ban when he saw the feeders next time.
Resident Tommy Wong, a 49-year-old healthcare professional, said the fine was not big enough to deter pigeon-feeding.
“It may take at least a fine of HK$10,000 to truly deter them,” he said.
“The pigeons still hang around this area a lot … I’ve seen at least 30 of them gathering here.”

The government gazetted amendments to the Wildlife Protection Ordinance on August 1 to extend feeding bans to cover wild pigeons and introduce a HK$5,000 fixed penalty system.
The authorities said the move was to protect the birds because feeding them would alter their foraging habits, jeopardise their ability to survive on their own and increase the risk of disease and parasite transmission.
Authorities will consider prosecutions, instead of the fine, in serious cases such as those involving repeated violations.
The maximum penalty for breaches has also been increased tenfold to HK$100,000, with the addition of a one-year prison term.
In a 2022 citywide programme to tackle hygiene black spots, the government identified 21 places where wild birds gathered, 14 of which were located in Central and Western district.
The Post has reached out to police, the Housing Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department for comment.


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Hongkonger fined HK$5,000 for feeding wild pigeons, some ignore ban as grace period ends

Offenders now face a fixed penalty of HK$5,000 for feeding feral pigeons. Photo: Dickson Lee

Feral pigeons enjoy a dip in Victoria Park in Causeway Bay. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hongkongers caught feeding feral pigeons face on-the-spot HK$5,000 fine from Sunday

The government has said that feeding the feral birds threatens their survival because it alters their foraging habits. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong has 17 “black spots” where large gatherings of wild birds have raised environmental hygiene concerns. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong plans to ban feeding feral pigeons in August. The Post breaks down what you need to know about the legal change

Hong Kong will ban pigeon feeding on August 1. Photo: Jelly Tse

Pigeons that are domesticated or granted with a special permit will be exempted from the ban. Photo: Edmond So

Offenders will be subject to a maximum fine of HK$100,000 and a year in jail. Photo: Elson Li

News

Hong Kong

Health & Environment

From Sunday, anyone caught feeding wild pigeons will receive an on-the-spot HK$5,000 fine, rather than a verbal warning


From Sunday, anyone caught feeding wild pigeons will receive an on-the-spot HK$5,000 fine, rather than a verbal warning.
